Deidara's arrival completely refreshed Yosuke's understanding of what a "problem child" could be.
Only one year younger than Itachi, Deidara seemed to possess inexhaustible energy, constantly manufacturing terrifying explosions without a moment's rest. From time to time, he would even launch surprise attacks on Yosuke, Hakuji, and Gyutaro using clay bombs.
Through their repeated clashes, Deidara gradually realized that, aside from Yosuke, both Hakuji and Gyutaro possessed unique abilities of their own. To Deidara, those abilities were also a form of art. As a result, he came to believe that "Crow" was an "artist collective." What began as extreme reluctance toward being a member of the organization slowly turned into pride.
However, Hakuji and Gyutaro did not share that sentiment.
Ever since Deidara joined them, there hadn't been a single moment of peace. Every day, they endured no fewer than ten bombing incidents. The culprit was obvious—Deidara himself.
True to his reputation as a genius, Deidara never actually injured Hakuji or Gyutaro with his bombs. Still, as he continued refining his techniques, the explosives grew increasingly troublesome. One careless mistake was all it took for Hakuji or Gyutaro to end up covered in soot and dust.
At that moment, Hakuji and Gyutaro were discussing how to deal with Deidara when his voice suddenly rang out:
"Art is an explosion! Hah!"
In an instant, the earth shook violently.
Moments later, Hakuji and Gyutaro dejectedly sought out Yosuke.
"Yosuke-sama, I think it's time for us to start taking missions," Akaza said.
"Hm? So suddenly? Then who's going to look after Deidara?" Yosuke asked instinctively.
Hakuji and Gyutaro's faces were filled with refusal.
"Yosuke-sama, Deidara seems to like sticking with you the most. You should be the one to take care of him."
"What?! Me?! I don't want to either!" Yosuke protested.
With Hakuji and Gyutaro successfully shifting the burden, Yosuke finally enjoyed a few peaceful days. But now that they were leaving, that meant it would be just him and Deidara. How could there possibly be any peace?
Yosuke tried to reason with them. "Deidara's explosions can't hurt you anyway. Besides, you could discipline him a bit. Brats like him just need to be taught a lesson."
"It's useless, Yōsuke-sama," Gyutaro replied helplessly. "The more you beat him, the more excited he gets. Before, he'd ambush us seven or eight times a day. After we punished him once, it jumped to seventeen or eighteen times. I feel like my nerves are about to collapse."
Suddenly, Deidara appeared before the three of them.
"Found you! Take this—my ultimate art! Hah!"
Flames burst forth as the entire building collapsed in an instant.
Hakuji and Gyutaro rushed out in time. Yosuke followed, grabbing Deidara by the back of his collar and dragging him outside.
Staring at the ruined building, Yosuke's face darkened.
Hakuji and Gyutaro exchanged glances, nodded to each other, then knelt on one knee in perfect unison.
"Yes! We will complete the mission! We swear not to return until it is done!"
With that, Hakuji and Gyutaro vanished from the spot.
Yosuke was dumbfounded.
I haven't even issued a mission yet! What are you completing?!
Hey! Don't abandon me, you bastards!
Deidara, still dangling from Yosuke's grip, shouted obliviously, "Don't go! Next time! Next time my art will definitely be proven!"
Utterly drained, Yosuke lifted Deidara up in front of him, staring at him with a pounding headache.
Deidara turned his head away arrogantly. "Why are you staring at me? Careful, or I'll blow—"
Before he could finish, Yosuke pinned him across his lap with lightning speed. Blow after blow rained down like a violent storm.
"This is for ambushing people!
This is for your bombs!
And this is for your 'art'!"
All the frustration Yosuke had built up over the past days came pouring out.
"If you've got the guts, let me go! Let's have a fair duel with art!" Deidara shouted stubbornly as he struggled.
This one-sided beating lasted nearly an entire hour.
By the end, Deidara's backside hurt so badly he couldn't sit down at all. He could only half-lie there in an awkward position, grumbling, "Couldn't you have gone a little easier?"
Yosuke felt immensely refreshed. "If I went easy on you, would you actually remember the lesson?"
"If you've got the guts, stop ambushing people! Let's decide this with art!" Deidara roared in embarrassment and anger.
Yosuke didn't know what had triggered him. Back when they fought initially, Yosuke had used his Blood Domain and Demon King Form to make Deidara recognize his overwhelming strength and join Crow.
But ever since leaving with Deidara that day, Deidara had clung to him nonstop, saying strange things like, "Your artistic achievement is only on par with mine—I don't like that," and constantly finding excuses to challenge him.
At first, Yosuke thought sparring with Deidara would help raise his combat ability as a new member of the organization. But between the kid's bizarre way of thinking and endless energy, Yosuke eventually couldn't take it anymore and began deliberately avoiding him.
Now, with only the two of them left, Yosuke needed a way to divert Deidara's attention.
"Do you want to surpass me in art?" Yosuke asked.
Deidara snorted. "I never lost to you in the first place."
"There's someone whose artistic achievement is even greater than mine. Defeat him, and you'll have beaten me as well."
Deidara's curiosity ignited instantly. "Who?!"
"My disciple—Uchiha Itachi."
Disciples exist to be sold out, Yosuke thought, betraying Itachi without hesitation.
He vividly described Itachi's Sharingan and his exquisite combat style to Deidara. As expected, Deidara's competitive spirit flared up.
"That Uchiha Itachi who's only a year older than me—where is he?! Take me to him now!" Deidara demanded impatiently.
Yosuke coaxed him, "Itachi is still in Konoha, handling his own matters. It's not convenient for a duel right now. Let's travel the ninja world first and refine your art. When you finally meet Itachi, wouldn't it feel even better to crush him completely?"
Deidara's eyes lit up as a vivid image formed in his mind—
An unfamiliar Itachi and Yosuke kneeling before him, sincerely declaring:
"Deidara-dono, your artistic achievement is utterly unmatched. That beautiful, fleeting instant of yours is the true art!"
Lost in the fantasy, Deidara let out a foolish laugh.
Yosuke looked at him suspiciously. "Deidara, what are you laughing about?"
Deidara snapped back to reality, coughed awkwardly, and said, "Nothing. Let's do as you say. I'll continue to elevate my art—until everyone else can no longer reach my heights!"
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